Talks & Entertainment

All books will be pre-signed by the author. A book signing will follow the event for those who would like their book personalized.

Since Lessons in Chemistry—the funny and shrewdly observant debut novel by copywriter and creative director Bonnie Garmus—was released nearly a year ago, it has become an international success and been named a best book of the year by The Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, and Newsweek among others. A #1 New York Times bestseller, with 44 weeks on the bestseller list and counting, the novel centers on Chemist Elizabeth Zott, not your average woman.

Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one chemist, Calvin Evans, a lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with Zott’s mind. True chemistry results. But like science, life is unpredictable, and Zott finds herself as the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show. As her following grows, not everyone is happy because Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook—she’s daring them to change the status quo.

Garmus will be in conversation with Dr. Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress. Dr. Hayden was nominated to the position by President Obama and is the first woman and the first African American to lead the library.

This event will include real-time captions for the virtual audience. In-person attendees who want the captioned feed onsite should contact Amanda in advance.